Finding aid for the Hebrew Free Loan Association Records, Series II

History of the Hebrew Free Loan Association

The Hebrew Free Loan Association was organized in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1903 when two prominent Clevelanders, Charles Ettinger and Maurice Black, each contributed two hundred dollars to a fund to aid needy Jewish immigrants from Russia and Poland. Others subsequently contributed to the fund so that on the sixth day of September, 1904, the Gmilus Chassodim Society, or Hebrew Free Loan Association, was established. Although founded to assist Jewish immigrants, the Association is non-sectarian, requiring only that the borrower prove real need. The Association has believed "that the best method to relieve temporary distress among the poor is not to give them alms, but instead to give them loans of money so that they remain self-supporting and retain their self-respect." Unlike commercial banks and finance companies, the Hebrew Free Loan Association is non-profit. A self-sustaining organization, it operates from membership dues and makes many types of loans, including moral-risk loans and emergency loans. Over the years, recipients of the loans have varied. Although founded as an immigrant aid society, the Association established itself as a general relief agency by aiding the needy throughout the years of the Great Depression. In 1945 its reputation continued to grow as the Association responded to the needs of returning World War II soldiers by offering them loans to start businesses, pursue careers, or purchase homes.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Hebrew Free Loan Association

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Morris Black

Scope and Content

The Hebrew Free Loan Association Records, Series II, 1927-1984, consist of loan account, application, and membership files, as well as bank pass books, tax exempt status forms, memorial bequest records, and correspondence.

This collection is of value to researchers studying Jewish charitable organizations in America in general and Cleveland, Ohio in particular, in the twentieth century. This collection is also of value to researchers interested in loan records as an index of the effects of changing economic circumstances upon members of both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities of greater Cleveland, Ohio. These records give specific information about loan applicants and loan recipients including occupation, salary, and the intended use of loan funds.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Use

Usage of the individual loan records contained in this collection is restricted. Researchers should consult the WRHS Curator of Manuscripts to discuss access and usage restrictions and complete an application for access.

Restrictions on Access

Access to the individual loan records contained in this collection is restricted. Researchers should consult the WRHS Curator of Manuscripts to discuss access and usage restrictions and complete an application for access.

The researcher should also consult MS 3640 Hebrew Free Loan Association Records; MS 4782 Hebrew Free Loan Association Records, Series III; and MS 4971 Hebrew Free Loan Association Records, Series IV.

Photographs have been removed to the photographic collections.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4551 Hebrew Free Loan Association Records, Series II, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Hebrew Free Loan Association, 1990 and 1991.

Processing Information

Processed by Stanley Lasky in 1991.

Detailed Description of The Collection